In Marion County, more people seek to carry concealed weapons

In this February 14, 2013 file photo, a woman fires her 9mm Glock on the indoor shooting range at R&D Tactical Solutions.

Doug Engle/Star-Banner

By Carlos E. MedinaCorrespondent

Published: Friday, May 24, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 4:49 p.m.

Jerry Brown is no stranger to firearms. He hunted as a teenager and has at least one handgun in his home for protection. But this year, the 65-year-old decided for the first time to get his concealed weapons permit.

"You never know if something goes on or may go on, I didn't want to be caught without a concealed weapons permit, just in case," Brown said.

Brown is among a growing number of people in Marion County and across the state seeking concealed weapons permits in the past few years. The demand for the permits was so great that Community Technical & Adult Education recently announced it would offer a firearms safety course, which is needed to apply for a concealed weapons permit from the state.

The phones at CTAE were soon inundated with calls for more information on the firearms course.

"We had no idea we would get the kind of interest we did ... The phones were ringing off the hook," said Scott Carpenter, program manager for CTAE, which is part of Marion County Public Schools.

Just one day after the course was announced, however, CTAE — which offers classes in everything from belly dancing to firefighting — canceled the course because it couldn't secure a range that would accommodate the class.

Still, the response illustrated the heavy demand for concealed weapons permits. Applications for permits by Marion County residents have increased more than 400 percent from 2002 to 2013.

About 500 new concealed weapons permits were issued to county residents in 2002. In the year from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, the number spiked to 3,440 before leveling off at around 2,200 this year, according to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Licensing.

Across the state it's the same story. Almost 31,000 new permits were issued in Florida in 2002-03. Through April 30 of this fiscal year, the state has issued more than 150,000 new permits statewide, an increase of almost 500 percent.

There are several requirements to obtain a concealed weapons permit. Applicants must be 21, cannot have felony criminal records, and cannot have documented alcohol or drug abuse problems or mental health issues. State law also requires completion of an approved firearms safety course.

While the CTAE safety course will not be offered, there are many other instructors offering similar courses in the county.

Mauro Porcelli of OcalaGunSafety.com is a National Rifle Association certified instructor. He said most of his students are interested in self-defense.

"Most are concerned with their safety because of what's been going on around the country. They want to defend themselves. They don't want to rely on the Sheriff's Office or the police department. They want to be responsible for their own safety," Porcelli said.

But he does see a spike in new students when talk in Washington, D.C., turns to possible new gun control measures.

"Sure, I get the conspiracy theorists who think the government is out to take their guns away, but that's a small segment," he said.

While most of his students apply for a permit, about half of them are seniors who have no plans to carry a concealed weapon.

"They are really more interested in home defense, but they get the permit anyway in case they need it," Porcelli said.

Brown, who is an avid fisherman, plans to carry a firearm with him when he goes to remote areas to fish.

"I want to make sure I have protection when I'm out in some of these areas where you can go hours without seeing another person. It's just a way to defend myself and do it while abiding by the law," Brown said.

Rick Stinnet, an officer on the board of directors for the Ocala Sportsman's Association, said its membership has spiked in the last few years.

"We probably had more join the association since the first of the year than in the last two or three years," he said.

He also said fewer people are letting their memberships lapse. Most years, about 90 to 100 members lapse, but now it's fewer than 40. The club now has more than 400 active members.

"Most people are worried about what's going on in this country and what the government is trying to do but also just for personal safety," Stinnet said of why the membership has spiked.

The association has its own shooting range, which is open only to members and puts on several shooting competitions throughout the year. The more popular competitions are scenario-based.

"You're put in a situation like you're at an ATM machine with cash in your hand and someone comes up and demands you give them your money. How do you react to that? You're using the skills you need for using a concealed weapon. You have to draw your weapon and use it accurately," Stinnet said.

He also said they have been getting more senior members, including many from The Villages.

"I've had several of my friends in their 60s and 70s tell me they want to get a gun and learn to shoot to take care of themselves," said Stinnet, who himself only came back to shooting three years ago.

Stinnet said after serving in the military, he never picked up a gun until a few years ago and now fires about 10,000 rounds a year in competition and practice.

<p>Jerry Brown is no stranger to firearms. He hunted as a teenager and has at least one handgun in his home for protection. But this year, the 65-year-old decided for the first time to get his concealed weapons permit.</p><p>"You never know if something goes on or may go on, I didn't want to be caught without a concealed weapons permit, just in case," Brown said.</p><p>Brown is among a growing number of people in Marion County and across the state seeking concealed weapons permits in the past few years. The demand for the permits was so great that Community Technical & Adult Education recently announced it would offer a firearms safety course, which is needed to apply for a concealed weapons permit from the state.</p><p>The phones at CTAE were soon inundated with calls for more information on the firearms course.</p><p>"We had no idea we would get the kind of interest we did ... The phones were ringing off the hook," said Scott Carpenter, program manager for CTAE, which is part of Marion County Public Schools.</p><p>Just one day after the course was announced, however, CTAE — which offers classes in everything from belly dancing to firefighting — canceled the course because it couldn't secure a range that would accommodate the class.</p><p>Still, the response illustrated the heavy demand for concealed weapons permits. Applications for permits by Marion County residents have increased more than 400 percent from 2002 to 2013.</p><p>About 500 new concealed weapons permits were issued to county residents in 2002. In the year from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, the number spiked to 3,440 before leveling off at around 2,200 this year, according to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Licensing.</p><p>Across the state it's the same story. Almost 31,000 new permits were issued in Florida in 2002-03. Through April 30 of this fiscal year, the state has issued more than 150,000 new permits statewide, an increase of almost 500 percent.</p><p>There are several requirements to obtain a concealed weapons permit. Applicants must be 21, cannot have felony criminal records, and cannot have documented alcohol or drug abuse problems or mental health issues. State law also requires completion of an approved firearms safety course.</p><p>While the CTAE safety course will not be offered, there are many other instructors offering similar courses in the county.</p><p>Mauro Porcelli of OcalaGunSafety.com is a National Rifle Association certified instructor. He said most of his students are interested in self-defense.</p><p>"Most are concerned with their safety because of what's been going on around the country. They want to defend themselves. They don't want to rely on the Sheriff's Office or the police department. They want to be responsible for their own safety," Porcelli said.</p><p>But he does see a spike in new students when talk in Washington, D.C., turns to possible new gun control measures.</p><p>"Sure, I get the conspiracy theorists who think the government is out to take their guns away, but that's a small segment," he said.</p><p>While most of his students apply for a permit, about half of them are seniors who have no plans to carry a concealed weapon.</p><p>"They are really more interested in home defense, but they get the permit anyway in case they need it," Porcelli said.</p><p>Brown, who is an avid fisherman, plans to carry a firearm with him when he goes to remote areas to fish.</p><p>"I want to make sure I have protection when I'm out in some of these areas where you can go hours without seeing another person. It's just a way to defend myself and do it while abiding by the law," Brown said.</p><p>Rick Stinnet, an officer on the board of directors for the Ocala Sportsman's Association, said its membership has spiked in the last few years.</p><p>"We probably had more join the association since the first of the year than in the last two or three years," he said.</p><p>He also said fewer people are letting their memberships lapse. Most years, about 90 to 100 members lapse, but now it's fewer than 40. The club now has more than 400 active members.</p><p>"Most people are worried about what's going on in this country and what the government is trying to do but also just for personal safety," Stinnet said of why the membership has spiked.</p><p>The association has its own shooting range, which is open only to members and puts on several shooting competitions throughout the year. The more popular competitions are scenario-based.</p><p>"You're put in a situation like you're at an ATM machine with cash in your hand and someone comes up and demands you give them your money. How do you react to that? You're using the skills you need for using a concealed weapon. You have to draw your weapon and use it accurately," Stinnet said.</p><p>He also said they have been getting more senior members, including many from The Villages.</p><p>"I've had several of my friends in their 60s and 70s tell me they want to get a gun and learn to shoot to take care of themselves," said Stinnet, who himself only came back to shooting three years ago.</p><p>Stinnet said after serving in the military, he never picked up a gun until a few years ago and now fires about 10,000 rounds a year in competition and practice.</p>